Editor’s Note: This is a Guest Post from a friend who had her wedding at the Hotel Highland!

As a southern girl, I have always dreamed of a big wedding. I grew up in Alabama and most of my immediate family still lives there. Although I had to move away for college and eventually my job, I knew I wanted to get married at home. My future husband, Jacob, and I have decided to have that big Birmingham, Alabama Wedding. The church I grew up in is absolutely beautiful, and my sweet husband to be was happy to have the wedding there. Weddings in Birmingham, Alabama are always so beautiful. I’m such a lucky girl! Actually, we’ve agreed on everything from the cakes to the flowers. Our only problem was figuring out how to get everyone in one place. Over the years, both of our families have spread out, and a lot of traveling is going to be required for everyone to be able to attend.

Sometimes an extra incentive is needed to get everyone to come home for a wedding. We finally decided to book rooms at The Hotel Highland. The downtown location is the perfect choice for us, and has lots of incentives for potential guests. Most of the men in the family love to golf and there are five golf courses within about 15 miles. For the men who wouldn’t necessarily be swayed to come to a wedding, a golf weekend works as a great motivator. There are also a number of museums and shopping venues for the women making the trip.

Another reason we decided to have the wedding party and guests stay at the Hotel Highland is that it is so close to the airport and train station. The Birmingham International Airport and the Amtrak Station are both less than five miles from the hotel. That makes getting to the hotel the first night and catching a plane or train the last day much easier for everyone.

We wanted to keep everything in a central location so no one would have to rent a car. There were several restaurants within walking distance. I had my mom and dad visit them all and choose their favorite. They really enjoyed that wedding task! We also decided to have a smaller get together at the H Martini Bar, which is located in the Hotel Highland. It’s a very contemporary environment and a perfect place for us to hang out with the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

The wedding date is getting close, and Jacob and I are becoming more and more excited. Having the wedding at home is a dream come true, and finding the Hotel Highland has been a huge blessing. Everyone will be staying in the same hotel so it will almost be like a huge slumber party. I can hardly wait to have all of our family and friends together for a weekend! Have you gotten married in Birmingham? Let me know how it went!

boquet photo credit CoreyAnn

Welcome back!

Every fall, Gulf Shores Alabama hosts its annual Shrimp Festival -one of the area’s most popular (and most tasty) events.  The festival lasts four days, and is the perfect way to say goodbye to the summer heat and welcome in some beautiful fall weather!

The event is held right on the beach, creating the perfect setting for some fun in the sun while enjoying the freshest seafood available!  The festival features over 300 vendors offering shrimp in every imaginable form, arts and crafts, and much more.  There are two stages offering continuous live music for guests to enjoy, so head on down to Gulf Shores and get your groove on!

The whole family is welcome to the National Shrimp Festival.  Amidst all of the shopping, eating, and entertainment there is a village dedicated to the younger members of your group with face painting, games, free arts and crafts, and much more!

Gulf Shores is widely known for its amazing vacation rentals -great rates, beautiful properties, and miles of pristine beach are the perfect recipe for an amazing vacation! There are a variety of Gulf Shores condos available at nearly every price point, making Gulf Shores a locale with a little something for everyone!

If you’re looking for unspoiled beaches, relaxation, and a great time, look at Orange Beach when you’re planning your next vacation.  The area offers an excellent combination of fun and relaxation.   Go down to the Wharf for an amazing meal and some shopping or an outdoor concert, or do some deep sea fishing with one of the many charter services in the area.  Be sure to visit the beach to experience the feel of powder-fine white sand between your toes.  After a few days of Gulf Shores, you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed, and you’ll never want to leave!

Images Courtesy Diamondduste

Going to the beach for a family vacation just seems to be much more effortless than say going to New York perhaps…  While the kids are playing in the sand and burying dad on the beach mom can go shopping, hit the salon or day spa, check out the local art galleries or go catch a movie in the laid back town of Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Of course mom could be getting buried right next to dad if we were talking about my family J.

If everybody is getting tired of the salty Gulf, there’s Waterville USA to visit.  This park has amusement rides as well as water slides, a wave pool and the new Flowrider which is a wave pool where one can surf the “endless” wave.  The park has two seasons of which either both the water park and the amusement park are open (summer) or only the amusement park is open (spring and fall time).  Waterville USA is great way to spend a day individually or with a large group.   

Another fun way to spend a day “away” from the beach is to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.  Located just blocks away from the Gulf and home to almost 300 animals, the zoo is a place to visit for all ages.  Check the website frequently for upcoming events and activities.  The zoo offers a “Zoo Camp” where kids from 3 to 11 get to spend a full day learning about the zoo and what it takes to keep the doors open to the public. 

If you are thinking of going to the zoo then you might as well head on over to Alligator Alley in Summerdale, Alabama which is only 30 minutes away from Gulf Shores.  This gator farm is home to “Captain Crunch” who is over 13 feet long, weighs over 800 pounds and holds the record for the world’s strongest bite.  Now that must something to see…  Other marsh and estuary wild life can be observed like owls and turtles while you are keeping your eyes peeled for the alligator(s).

Doing all of these fun activities will make the vacationing family sleep well at night.  Gulf Shores, Alabama really does accommodate and cater to the needs of families who choose to spend quality time and an adventurous time on their vacation.  Looking for a Gulf vacation destination that brings young and old together?  Give Gulf Shores, Alabama a try on your next trip down South.

Gulf Shores Sunset by beggs 

Riding the Waves by nola.agent

2 month old Bengal cub by The Pug Father

I recently just got back from the Big Easy ~ New Orleans and I of course imbibed in my usual gluttony of seafood.  Oysters on the half shell, charbroiled, fried and stuffed inside a Po-Boy, etc…  I tend to indulge in oysters way down south just because I cannot get them at home.

Well, not too far (about 3 hours east) from New Orleans is Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Also known for celebrating the upcoming Mardi Gras festival, Gulf Shores shares in the fun and food that is locally harvested from the Gulf of Mexico.  Dixieland as many call the deep south offers fun in the sun for all ages.

Gulf Shores is home to the Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival or also known as The Annual National Shrimp Festival.  Held every fall in October over 200,000 shrimp obsessed people come to Gulf Shores to take part in the festivities which all revolve around the yummy crustacean; the shrimp.  With shrimp being prepared in a multitude of ways, festival goers get 4 days of free admission to get their fill.

Music is also an important part of the festival and there are two back to back stages offering country and rock every day starting at 10 am.  With names of musical acts like “Liquid Chicken”, “Catfish Flats” and “Bid Muddy”, you cannot go wrong listening to music outside, eating shrimp and of course, washing it all down with some cold beers.

I know that most people think of seafood as being fried most of the time but in Gulf Shores there are options.  Gulf Shores Steamer & Grill stands behind their motto of “NO FRIED” and serves up delicious steamed shrimp, snow crab legs, oysters and mussels.

Another cool eatery is known as “The Hangout” where locals would come in the late 50’s and early 60’s to enjoy the beach scene and be with friends surfing and just hanging out.  These days one can still come to “The Hangout” and enjoy great Gulf Shores’ seafood and cuisine.  From raw oysters and catfish to crab and corn “chowda” one can easily quench their seafood appetite in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

So, remember Gulf Shores in planning your next Southern beach excursion where the locals like to eat, listen to live music and eat some more.

Gulf Shores, Alabama by beggs

Gulf Shrimp by inuyaki.com

Gulf of Mexico Oysters by Kent Wang

Gulf Storm by nola.agent

I’d have never thought that Birmingham, Alabama would have so many good Martini Bars, but if you’re in the mood for a cocktail that looks pretty and still packs a good punch, try one of the favorite hangouts of the locals:

Amani Raha Martini Bar is in the historic Martin Biscuit Building in Pepper Place (2901 2nd Avenue South. This trendy club, whose name means peace and happiness in Swahili, is co-owned by the Dallas Cowboys Terrell Owens and has a smooth, mellow atmosphere – just like their martinis!

The Birmingham Martini Bar in the Hotel Highland is simply called The H. You’ll find 1023 20th Street South in the lobby of a stylishly renovated hotel in the popular Five Points South neighborhood. It’s a convenient venue to see and be seen or to meet up with friends before a night on the town.

Base Camp Lounge at 1024 20th Street South is a livelier venue with pool table, karaoke and local bands playing on one or both of their stages most weekends. Martini offerings include both the classics and more exotic mixtures, like the Black Eye and the Kilted Yak.